Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network successfully observes the Global Week of Action Against Gun Violence in Manipur

Imphal, Manipur: On Wednesday, 17 June 2009, Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network successfully observed the Global Week of Action Against Gun Violence in Manipur. Ms. Reena Mutum, Coordinator of the Network delivered the welcome address with a brief introduction on the function of the Network and also on the Global Week of Action Against Gun Violence which is being observed worldwide from 15 to 21 June 2009.

Mrs M. Sobita, Secretary of Women Action for Development, Manipur, higlighted on the difficulties faced by women in Manipur due to gender disparities. “Domestic violence for a woman starts from womb to tomb with the practice of abortion if it is a girl child”. She also said that looking at the strength of women in Manipur people tend to feel that women of Manipur do not get succummed to any domestic violence. This myth should be broken down.

A large section of manipuri women face a number of day- to – day domestic violence. She added that many gun survivors are quite young and was happy that Manipuri Women Gun Survivors Network strives to empower these women in conflict areas of Manipur. Many of these victims happen to be from lower class families, though at times it happens to middle/ upper class families. In such a situation, the mechanism adopted by the concerned authorities government need to be questioned. These problems can be curbed down only when there is a stringent measure, punishment or policies, and these need to be implemented.

Father of late Mr.Uttam Kumar Longjam also shared and expressed his lamentations of his son’s ill fated death. He said that Manipuri society will be left without any male citizen if the killing continues and if the civil society remains blind eyed to such incidents. There should be an uprising to curtail this lawlessness in Manipur society.

Several women and men gun survivors such as Ima Chandrajini, Eche Ebeyai, Renu Hangzu, Late Uttam Kumar’s father and several others came and gave their testomonies at the meeting.

The meeting ended with some more women gun survivors sharing their testimonies and also with the resolve that civil society should join hands together and stay vigilant and work towards curbing domestic violence in Manipur.

For photographs of the event please click HERE

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